Author: A4KENYA

MOBILE INTERNET PENETRATION IN AFRICA: AN END TO LARGE GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE?

Africa holds the number two position after Asia as the continent with the 2nd highest mobile internet users.

Source: http://asiancorrespondent.com/43116/asia-recognised-as-worlds-biggest-mobile-internet-user/
http://digitaljournal.com/article/314828
Africa has not heavily invested in physical infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and roads. This puts it in a unique position compared to other continents who have already heavily invested in these physical infrastructures. This means that Africa can afford more room for innovative mobile –internet-based solutions to augment roles played heavily by Governments.

EDUCATION.
In regions where African Governments have not heavily invested in building schools such as North Eastern Province in Kenya, the internet can augment the need for heavy physical investment especially in secondary and tertiary education level.

For example, the need for students to enroll in secondary or tertiary institutions so as to learn mandatory subjects such as calculus, periodic table, human anatomy e.t.c which chances are very high that they might not use in their life. In such situations, students should be able to learn only what is of interest to them through the millions of tutorials available in the internet in written and video format.

This will in turn lead to less Government involvement in Education sector. Students will be able to follow their passions to very detailed education levels.
The Government can in turn assist and regulate this by changing the curriculum such that students can be able to specialize at n early age. For instance, if a student shows interest in biology, he/she can pursue the knowledge online beginning form Primary school until PhD level.

PARLIAMENT.
Political deliberations can be designed such that political representatives can deliberate both physically in parliament and online through forums. This will enable representatives in fur areas or on travel to equally participate in deliberations. This will also enable citizens to join in the debates and air their views.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

The use of internet portals that allow for Local Authority to communicate with building, land subdivision and other applicants online such as this http://www.a4architect.com/submit-drawings/ will go a long way in reducing Government expenditure in terms of mobilizing for transport, stationery and time.

CONCLUSION.
There are many other Government ministry roles that can be made more efficient through use of internet. The number is only limited by our imaginations.
Now that Africa has not invested in heavy physical infrastructure, it’s time for new solutions to this using unique and innovative methods. This lack of physical infrastructure could be the proverbial lemon that Africa should now make lemonade with so as to make the big leap into economic prosperity.
Architect Francis Gichuhi Kamau.
info@a4architect.com
www.a4architect.com
+254721410684

INTERNET: SOLUTION TO AFRICA’S COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE .
Africa’s road and railway network does not link well between countries and cities.
This hampers and slows down communication between country to country and city to city.
In Nairobi, the traffic jam creates a perpetual grid-lock that hampers transport from one region to the other within the city.
Transport network between African counties e.g. between East Africa -Kenya and West Africa-Nigeria is poor.
Capital cost of laying road and rail networks is high.
For example, the new Thika road super highway which is 48km in length cost KES 35 Billion, translating to KES 700 Million per kilometer for the 8-lane super-highway.The total length of the road can be calculated by multiplying the 48km by the number of lanes. This translates to approximately KES 100m per km per lane.
With mind-boggling costs like these, super highway road networks will not be a common feature in African roads soon.

COST-EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6219/6220166808_7ab0aea646_b.jpg
Under-sea cables have come to solve the communication crisis in Africa.
Africa coastline is surrounded by 8 different Sea Cable companies, namely SACOM, EASSy, TEAMs,WACS,MainOne,GL01,ACE and SAex.
EASSy, which is 90% Africa owned, costed KES 2.6million per kilometer. Its 10000 km long.

The comparison in cost between road cost and fibre optic cable per km shows a very large variance.
The amount it costs to lay the fibre-optic cables per km is affordable for most African countries.
Internet therefore poses the best bet for communication between African countries.
It has its drawbacks compared to road in that it does not allow for physical face-to face meetings.

INTER-GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION.

Many African Governments lag behind in embracing internet communication. In Africa, internet communication is mainly between citizens communicating to each other.
In Kenya for example, the internet users are over 8 million. Most Government ministries still don’t communicate using the internet. Some ministries have their websites down e.g Ministry of local Government http://www.localgovernment.go.ke/
Others still have outdated info such as this http://www.statehousekenya.go.ke/government/local.htm
Its nearly impossible to get an email reply if you contact the Kenya Government online –except if you email representatives directly through their personal email addresses.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information in Kenya, Dr. Bitange Ndemo is very active in online social media and promptly replies to any queries directed to the Ministry of Information.
In Zambia, the Zambia State House website has no contact address .This means that its impossible for any one to contact the Zambian Government online.
http://www.statehouse.gov.zm/
Countries with working websites and prompt online communications in Africa are Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
North African countries such as Tunisia, Sudan and Egypt have their websites in Arabic hence language barrier.
These should include a link to translate to English so that other Africans can communicate with them.
In Nigeria, the number of citizens using the internet for communication is very high yet most Nigeria Government websites are inaccessible and will not reply to communication sent through email.

AFRICAN CITIZENS TO DRIVE INTERNET CONNECTIVITY.

It’s obvious that African citizens have embraced internet communication with 118 million users representing 11.5% of total African population.
Source: http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats1.htm
African Governments have lagged behind in offering Government communication to its citizenry through the internet.
Advocacy towards educating Africa Governments, Kenya included, on the benefits of embracing internet as a main method of communication is crucial.

AFRICAN CITIZENS COMMUNICATION.

Communication between African citizens has been made efficient through the internet. The lack of Government controls and interference between internet communication has aided in increasing business between African Countries. For example, it’s possible to design a building in Senegal, Rwanda or Uganda through internet communication between an architect’s office in Kenya and the clients in the respective countries.
The bottle neck to this efficient business communication comes in once physical meetings are planned. There are no tarmac link roads and passports are needed to move from one African country to the other. Government permit applications are also not available online-one has to be physically present to make an application. These are bottle-necks created by Governments through their slow uptake of internet communication. If they embrace IT, business will be very efficient. Online building plan and environment impact assessment portals such as http://www.a4architect.com/submit-drawings/ should be used within African Governments to aid in faster, more efficient communication.

Architect Francis Gichuhi Kamau
info@a4architect.com
+254721410684

• I need a 3 bedroomed container house with kitchen, bathroom/s and lounge
• I need it to be designed including electricity, water etc
• I need it in Kisumu
• I need a quotation on all
• Have my own land

By: Patricia

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT WWW.A4ARCHITECT.COM

1. Tell us about your company
www.a4architect.com offers architectural and construction project management. We also offer IT solutions for Local Governments and N.E.M.A in terms of application for approval of projects.
2. What are some of the projects you have successfully completed?
The most notable is the Naivas at the roundabout of Jogoo road and Outer ring road completed in 2010. Others are various residential estates and houses dotted all over Kenya. We are also in the process of starting a housing estate project in Kigali, Rwanda.
We are about to complete Greenvile Estate, located in Syokimau. This was marketed online and once buyers booked the virtual houses, we approached Housing Finance for financing and now completion is scheduled for April 2012.
3. You said that you do online architecture, why did you choose this path and how does it work?
Online architecture offers an efficient method of communicating for our clients.
Clients do not have to move from their offices/homes to contact us-they can do that online through their phones or computers at the comfort of their homes and offices.
Online architecture works as follows:
• Client contacts us through email/phone after visiting www.a4architct.com.
• Client describes their needs and requirements.
• Client receives proposal on estimated cost of project and cost of architectural consultancy.
• Client signs contract for commencement of service between them and www.a4architect.com.This may or may not require a physical meeting. It depends on the wishes of the client. Some clients will want to meet physically at this point while others will not.
• Client receives design and makes payment through Paypal, MPesa or directly to bank account.
• Design process continues with exchange of information between client and www.a4architect.com until client is satisfied with the design.
• Design is taken for approval at the appropriate Local Authority offices .This requires a physical meeting/presence between www.a4architect.com representatives and Local Authority.
www.a4architect.com has developed a platform that will reduce the number of meetings between applicants and Local Authority .See details here
http://www.a4architect.com/submit-drawings/
• Construction supervision till completion takes place .This requires periodic physical site visits. Where only documentation is required, this is transmitted online to the contractor or other supporting consultants e.g engineers.

4. Do you offer your services to locals only, or have you gone international?
Another great advantage of offering Online architectural services is the ability to offer architectural services internationally.
Last year we offered architectural service for construction of a building in Senegal. We have also offered online architectural services to clients in Uganda and Rwanda.
We are currently handling a design in Kigali-where necessary, most communication is done online between www.a4architect.com ,the Client and Kigali City Local Authority One Stop Centre offices.
5. How do you negotiate for pay without physically seeing the clients?
Architectural services are regulated by CAP 525 of the laws of Kenya so the negotiations are minimum. It’s easy to derive the cost estimate of the project and derive the percentage required as fees. This information is done online, through telephone or face-to-face meetings.
6. The concept is fairly new to the Kenyan market- how is it being received and what are some of the challenges you are facing in penetrating to the market?
In the beginning, i.e early 2003 to around 2007, Kenyans were very skeptical of anything/transaction online. www.a4architect.com has emerged as a brand that offers quality service in the field of architecture .This has reduced the amount of skepticism from potential clients. Also, clients are beginning to measure the amount of time and resources they can save by reducing face-to-face meetings especially with the never-ending Nairobi traffic jam.
With more and more Kenyans accessing the internet, and with the High Speed cable internet, more and more Kenyans are beginning to appreciate the conveniences that IT/internet offers.
The drawback is that the majority of Clientele in Kenya are over 60 years old. Investing in construction is a costly affair .It takes people very many years to be able to amass the cash to build. The unfortunate thing is that this age group is not internet savvy. It’s quite hard to train them to communicate through IT.
7. How do you handle the issue of trust with your clients- since you only do online business with them?

Architectural service is broken down into smaller parts. We offer the first part of the service then the client pays after they are happy and content with it.
After payment, we move to the next service and offer it for client consumption then we wait for payment. This procedure goes on and on till completion.
Architectural Association of Kenya and the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors of Kenya need to display a list of registered architects such that it is easier for clients to counter-check with these bodies.
As we speak, the Architectural Association of Kenya website is displaying an Arabic flag with the words HACKED BY Over-X.
Here is the screen shot
http://www.aak.or.ke/

The Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors of Kenya website has been down for the last 3 months and no one seems to notice.
Here is the screen shot.

Home

With the Bodies that are vested with the role of ensuring the Kenyan public gets the best architectural services having unserviced websites, it becomes harder for our clients to ascertain our registration. It also becomes harder for us to differentiate ourselves from the thousands of quacks offering substandard services online.

8. When and How do you supervise the progress of these buildings?
Once the Local Authority e.g Nairobi City council e.t.c approves the building proposal, we then move to supervision of the buildings.
Where physical presence is needed, we offer site visits. Where physical presence is not needed, we receive pictures from the contractor on site.
9. What projects do you find easier to design using this method and which are not so compatible with the method?
This method is good for small residential houses. This is because due to lack of economies of scale, it is more feasible for the client to consume online architectural services. Large projects are able to accommodate physical meetings due to economies of scale. Also, the level of risk involved is large so physical presence is needed.

Hi.

I have a half acre plot . I would like to construct spacious 2 bedroom and 3 bedroom flats / apartments . So I wanted to know how flats / apartments will fit in a half acre plot .

Regards.
By: Naeem

MASONRY WALL FENCING.

Wall height can vary between a minimum of 2.1 meters to a maximum of 2.8 m high.
Wall finishes can vary between low cost, middle cost and high cost finishes.
LOW COST WALL FINISHES.
This is a wall that comprises of masonry stone walling, machine cut dressed, without any pattern. This is done without a coping at the top and without any keying.
A square meter of masonry walling is estimated at KES 800 . This cost is derived as follows:
The cost of a machine cut stone delivered around Nairobi is KES 55. A meter squared has 13 stones.
This totals to KES 715. Add 10% for labour and joining cement mortar. This brings to approximately KES 800 per m2.
A good example is the walling commonly seen in low income areas such as Dandora and Kayole.
MIDDLE COST FINISHES.
This characterizes a wall that is made up of masonry machine cut or hand dressed stone, laid carefully with impressive workmanship. It comprises keying and masonry coping at the top. A touch of pattern is also included such as alternating stones of a different colour.
A good example is the walling commonly seen around Kitengela, Ngong and Ongata Rongai areas.
This is estimated at KES 1200 per m2.
HIGH COST FINISHES.
This comprises of hand-dressed masonry walling that is carefully patterned. Designs such as zero-jointing characterize this finish. Intricate indented patterns are also common with this type of finish.
A good example is the masonry walling located opposite Gertrude Children’s hospital in Muthaiga.
This is estimated at KES 2000 per m2.
FOUNDATION.
The average depth of a wall foundation is 1 m . This varies from region to region depending on how deed the stable ground is. Some grounds will only require a few centimeters of depth while others require many meters.
The foundation can be constructed using Reinforced Concrete base. This is expensive since the price of cement and steel is high.
I have developed a method whereby the Reinforced concrete is substituted with two layers of masonry walling laid across each other. This saves costs.
WALL SUPPORT.
Every 3 meters should be braced with either masonry walling or Reinforced concrete columns.
Masonry walling offers a more cost-effective option as a support.
Fence height:[m] 2.8

1 m deep foundation
Total wall height: 3.8

Surface area[m2] 1219

low cost finishes 975,200.00

middle cost finishes 1,462,800.00

high cost finishes 2,438,000.00

Fence height:[m] 2.1

1 m deep foundation
Total wall height: 3.1

Surface area[m2] 993

low cost finishes 794,400.00

middle cost finishes 1,191,600.00

high cost finishes 1,986,000.00

Architect Francis Gichuhi Kamau
info@a4architect.com
+254721410684

WHY CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATES FROM PROFESSIONALS APPEAR HIGH.

Construction cost estimates done by professionals appear high to the layman when compared to cost estimates done by local fundis for the same.
The reason this happens is because the local fundis do not categorise the construction cost in terms of low, middle or high cost materials.
They also do not include all the details and accessories that come with the main product.
These details tend to be easily overlooked form a layman point of view in estimating the total cost of construction.

EXAMPLE: ESTIMATING COST OF A DOOR.

A flush door costs approximately KES 2,000 in any given hardware shop in Kenya. When estimating the cost of a door, the fundi will advice the house owner that the doors will cost him/her KES 2,000. The house owner will then budget the cost as KES 2,000 multiplied by the number of doors in the house.

PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.

A professional will advice the house owner that the flush door costs KES 2,000. Also, the flush door comes with a door lock costing KES 1,500 which can be 2 or 3 lever depending on the security level required. In addition to the door and door lock, there will be the cost of door hinges which costs approximately KES 200. A door stopper costing KES 200 will also be required. The door will also require a door frame costing KES 1,500 depending on the design ,wood type and thickness of the door frame required. This door will also require an additional 10% to 20% of the cost as labour plus transport costs.
The same door that a fundi advises the house owner to cost KES 2,000 will now be estimated by the professional to cost KES 6,000.
This is the least it would cost to fix the door. The Fundi gives the cost of a door at the hardware shop while the professional gives the cost of a door from purchasing it from the shop until fixing it in the house.

VARIANCE.

This variance of over 200% in cost estimate is what the fundi fails to advice the house owner. The consequences are as follows;
1. If the money the house owner is using to construct was borrowed from a bank, the house will not be complete due to cost overruns.
2. The house owner would have liked to know the possible options for materials in term of costs available in the market so that they can make an informed decision.
3. In severe cases, total building construction quality is compromised due to poor planning hence building collapse.

REASONS WHY THE COST ESTIMATES VARY.

The reason why the cost estimates vary so much is because of the fundis are generally well-versed with the actual construction techniques as opposed to cost estimation. They do not have the necessary tools and skills required to fore see construction costs hence estimate the end product costings.
On the other hand, professionals will also not be able to advice on techniques e.g how best to fit the door and door frame. It might sound easy but this requires years of training so as to know how to adjust the door to fit in within the door frame, the correct position to fit the door lock, where to place the door stopper, how to fix the door lock e.t.c.
This mis-match in skill-set can cost the house owner huge losses.

CONCLUSION.

The correct use of particular skill-sets in the construction industry is very important in ensuring the house owner gets value for their money.
To avoid mis-match, an easy method is to use google search for advice or contact Government bodies that advice or regulate construction industry such as Architectural Association of Kenya or Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors of Kenya for the right advice.
The new law to regulate contractors in Kenya will go a long way to ensure Kenyans consume the best service from contractors and reduce chances of skill mis-match.

Architect Francis Gichuhi Kamau.
www.a4architect.com

WHY CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATES FROM PROFESSIONALS APPEAR HIGH.
Construction cost estimates done by professionals appear high to the layman when compared to cost estimates done by local fundis for the same.
The reason this happens is because the local fundis do not categorise the construction cost in terms of low, middle or high cost materials.
They also do not include all the details and accessories that come with the main product.
These details tend to be easily overlooked form a layman point of view in estimating the total cost of construction.

EXAMPLE: ESTIMATING COST OF A DOOR.

A flush door costs approximately KES 2,000 in any given hardware shop in Kenya. When estimating the cost of a door, the fundi will advice the house owner that the doors will cost him/her KES 2,000. The house owner will then budget the cost as KES 2,000 multiplied by the number of doors in the house.

PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.

A professional will advice the house owner that the flush door costs KES 2,000. Also, the flush door comes with a door lock costing KES 1,500 which can be 2 or 3 lever depending on the security level required. In addition to the door and door lock, there will be the cost of door hinges which costs approximately KES 200. A door stopper costing KES 200 will also be required. The door will also require a door frame costing KES 1,500 depending on the design ,wood type and thickness of the door frame required. This door will also require an additional 10% to 20% of the cost as labour plus transport costs.
The same door that a fundi advises the house owner to cost KES 2,000 will now be estimated by the professional to cost KES 6,000.

VARIANCE.

This variance of over 200% in cost estimate is what the fundi fails to advice the house owner. The consequences are as follows;
1. If the money the house owner is using to construct was borrowed from a bank, the house will not be complete due to cost overruns.
2. The house owner would have liked to know the possible options for materials in term of costs available in the market so that they can make an informed decision.
3. In severe cases, total building construction quality is compromised due to poor planning hence building collapse.

REASONS WHY THE COST ESTIMATES VARY.

The reason why the cost estimates vary so much is because of the fundis are generally well-versed with the actual construction techniques as opposed to cost estimation. They do not have the necessary tools and skills required to fore see construction costs hence estimate the end product costings.
On the other hand, professionals will also not be able to advice on techniques e.g how best to fit the door and door frame. It might sound easy but this requires years of training so as to know how to adjust the door to fit in within the door frame, the correct position to fit the door lock, where to place the door stopper, how to fix the door lock e.t.c.
This mis-match in skill-set can cost the house owner huge losses.

CONCLUSION.

The correct use of particular skill-sets in the construction industry is very important in ensuring the house owner gets value for their money.
To avoid mis-match, an easy method is to use google search for advice or contact Government bodies that advice or regulate construction industry such as Architectural Association of Kenya or Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors of Kenya for the right advice.
The recent introduction of a new law to regulate contractors is a good direction by the Government. This will ensure that Kenyans are getting value for their money while consuming services rendered by contractors.

Architect Francis Gichuhi Kamau.
www.a4architect.com